Boarding School Abuse presents a series of illegal and lurid actions frequently committed against students by school faculty members, administrators or staff involving sexual assault of varying degrees. The attack might be a one-time, non-consensual abuse or it can involve numerous assaults within an ongoing interaction. For example, an ongoing intimate relationship with a student, created by the predatory actions of a faculty member, school administrator or staff and whether leading to physical consensual sex acts or not, is a form of abuse.Student-on-student sexual assault is another type of abuse, which might be compounded by the school’s failure to offer a safe environment that enabled the attack to happen. Within the school population are students of different ages, maturity and experiences. Younger students may be exposed to the predatory behavior of older, more mature students. This behavior, along with peer-pressure applied to both the attacker and the targeted victim, may lead to different types of abuse that includes sexual assault of varying degrees.In all alleged Boarding School Assault matters, a school administration’s megligence to completely, immediately report the crime to police and other authorities, or its additional failure to investigate, address and deal completely with the matter increases the effects on the abuse survivor, the school population and possibly others. Recent Boarding School Abuse cases reported in the media highlight these failures, including times when the perpetrator quietly departs the school only to assume employment somewhere else in a school environment. Predatory BehaviorMost boarding schools pride themselves on their small, personal communities within a well-defined and safe campus. In this environment, faculty, administrators and staff are often much closer and familiar with students than would be expected in a non-boarding school setting. This could provide both opportunity and cover for the possible attacker and for the predatory behavior.In some situations, the attacker may be a likeable and popular person, generally thought to be a positive addition to the school community. A targeted student might feel flattered that a popular superior in the school community has expressed special attention in him or her. Because of this popularity and integration into the school community, abuse accusations against these attackers are frequently met with doubt, disbelief, and resistance from the community. Frequesntly, abusers have distance and morality problems which turn into unusually friendly relationships with students that are beyond what are commonly expected. This creates a predatory pathway and opportunity for the attack.Most abusers, to varying amounts, use predatory methods that are generally known as “grooming,” or targeting a potential abuse victim. Following is a compilation of grooming methods exhibited by predators that are in a position of authority in relation to the student.GroomingGrooming is a significant part of a predator’s ploy. In a boarding school situation, a predator often works closely with small numbers of students, knowing each student’s needs and vulnerabilities. Once a target is located and selected, these vulnerabilities – like loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, or attention seeking behavior, could be systematically exploited in the following manners:TrustA predator might initially work to get the student’s trust. This step is the most difficult to discern as boarding school communities are usually tight-knit and personal engagement is commonplace. Here, the predator is likely part of a group of staff who are genuinely interested in the student’s wellbeing and success at the school.Reliance As a predator establishes a trusting engagement with the potential student-victim, the student will begin to rely more and more on the predator for any need it is that the predator is exploiting and fulfilling. The victim might spend more time with the predator, feeling more comfortable with the relationship. In addition to attention and kindness, the possible victim might receive gifts from the predator, which may include valuable, presents such as the promise of high grades, or a university recommendation letter. The reliance step is usually where the predatory behavior is distinguishable from well-meaning collegial behavior.Isolation As the grooming progresses, the predator may try to isolate the potential victim. At school, this could mean late get togethers, tutoring sessions, encounters in the dorm , one-on-one athletic practice sessions, or other such circumstances.SexualizationThe predator will start to de-sensitize the student from reacting negatively to touching, caressing and other actions which lead to sexual interaction. This may begin with breaking the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with suggestive messages to gauge the victim’s reaction to the advancement. This could escalate until the relationship transforms to one of a physical, sexual nature.MaintenanceAs the sexual relationship is created, the predator may try to maintain control of the student and the continuing interaction. The predator will likely seek to manipulate the victim by inducing emotions of shame, or possibly threats, or employ the opposite strategy of continuing to have the victim feel special and desired. In any event, the predator might continue to exploit the victim with means available to maintain the inappropriate physical relationship.Impacts on Abuse SurvivorsWhile the grooming escalates as planned by the predator, the targeted student, being made to feel special, will likely respond positively to the actions. The predator, from these well planned and performed grooming behaviors and activities, tries to re-work and reduce the moral confines of the victim. Because the abuse survivor participated in this re-calibration, she frequently experiences deep feelings of guilt, initially blaming herself for the incident and hesitant to report it.Additionally, beyond the abuse has been revealed, victims of private school abuse are often exposed to discreet social pressure and intimidation, like being bullied, alienation from their peers, or retaliation from staff. Especially at school abuse lawsuit , where academics are rigorous, competition can be fierce and social circles small, survivors of abuse can be rapidly isolated and socially persecuted. Subjected to those reactions, many private school abuse survivors that have reported the abuse leave school. Others, fighting with the prospect of such isolation and social persecution, report the abuse years later. In either case, the impact can be significant and lasting.Some abuse survivors bear from long-term effects of the abuse including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, low self-esteem, suicidal feelings, substance abuse, restless sleeping and eating patterns, and trouble establishing and keeping healthy relationships. Individualized therapy and support groups could assist victims get past these effects.Legally, a survivor of boarding school abuse may recover financial compensation from the predator and more frequently, from the school for its failure to protect the student from the predator, as well as failures or negligence in its process of reviewing and replying to the victim’s report of the abuse. If you are a survivor of boarding school abuse and would like to confidentially review your situation and learn of your legal options at no cost or obligation, we are prepared to speak with you. It’s important for a survivor to remember that being a victim is not your fault. The attorneys at Meneo Law Group are committed to bringing those responsible for the assault to justice.